Rancho Cucamonga, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Trees within the Rancho Cucamonga public right-of-way, including parkway trees between the sidewalk and curb and trees within street medians, are city property and fall under Public Works Services jurisdiction. Homeowners cannot prune, top, or remove parkway trees without a no-fee Tree Maintenance Permit from Public Works. Unauthorized pruning can trigger fines and appraised-value replacement costs. The city maintains a Street Tree List that identifies approved species by neighborhood, and new parkway plantings require a city permit and inspection. Private trees on private property may be trimmed by the owner, but all cuts must avoid damaging the neighbors property under California Civil Code 3346 (which treats willful tree damage as subject to double or triple damages). Utility companies including Southern California Edison and Frontier coordinate their own trimming around power and communication lines under CPUC General Order 95. Trees overhanging a public sidewalk must maintain 8 feet of clearance and trees over a street must maintain 14 feet of clearance. Trees in the VHFHSZ have additional fire code spacing requirements, including 10 feet between canopies and 10 feet clearance from chimneys.